Right after the Civil War, books were published that attempted to refute the "immorality" of slavery. These books were often illustrated with photographs of former slaves dressed in outlandish costumes looking happy and content. Texts purported to document the kind and reasonable treatment of slaves in the South. All of these books relied on racial stereotypes. Racial stereotypes persisted in the United States long after the Civil War and these children's books were also especially popular in England. At about this same time, silent movies were showing white actors in blackface and featuring minstrel shows.George Willard Bonte was an artist well-known for his portraits and Louise Quarles Bonte was an artist well-known for her miniatures.